With the adverse effects often associated with traditional treatments (irritation, skin dryness, burning sensations, etc.), some individuals choose to try "natural" alternatives to quickly eliminate a pimple. Additionally, botanical therapies may offer the added advantage of multiple modes of action, owing to their biochemical composition of diverse bioactive compounds. However, although many options exist, only a few are "scientifically proven," such as tea tree essential oil—one of the most popular alternative remedies, despite limited research on its efficacy against acne.
In addition to tea tree essential oil, the green tea extract, Copaiba essential oil, and clove essential oil have also demonstrated their ability to reduce blemishes.
Extracted from the leaves of the Australian native tree Melaleuca alternifolia, the tea tree essential oil (INCI: Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil) has demonstrated certain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. Studies have shown that a small amount of diluted tea tree essential oil can reduce the number of blemishes in patients with mild to moderate acne.
For example, a single-blind randomized clinical trial of 124 patients conducted by BARNETSON R. S. and colleagues revealed that 5% tea tree essential oil in a water-based gel was as effective in reducing inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions as a 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion, although the tea tree essential oil did not act as rapidly as benzoyl peroxide.
In another study, a gel containing 5% tea tree oil was nearly four times more effective at reducing inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions and almost six times more effective at lowering acne severity compared to a placebo, i.e., the vehicle gel alone. Although tea tree essential oil doesn’t make a pimple disappear in one day, it appears effective at diminishing an acne lesion while causing fewer adverse effects.
Despite its proven efficacy, the European Commission does not regulate claims regarding tea tree essential oil’s effects on pimples. Therefore, caution is advised when using it, and a skin patch test should always be performed before application.
How to use tea tree essential oil to treat a pimple?
Highly concentrated, it is important to note that tea tree essential oil should never be applied undiluted to the skin. Therefore, be sure to dilute one drop of tea tree essential oil in a teaspoon of vegetable oil before applying it directly to the blemish with a cotton swab once or twice daily.